InterContinental Sorrento set to open on the Mornington Peninsula
The luxury property is part of the redevelopment of the Hotel Continental and will be operated by IHG on a management agreement.
Following a sensitive, state-of-the-art restoration by the Trenerry Consortium, which is owned by Victor Smorgon Group, the Kanat Group and Trenerry Property, InterContinental Sorrento will occupy the accommodation component of the 145-year-old heritage-listed limestone building and will feature 106 beautifully appointed, spacious guestrooms, many of them with water views.
“We could not be more delighted to be adding this very special hotel to our InterContinental portfolio and we’re so pleased to be embarking on the restoration process with this great Consortium of partners,” said IHG’s Vice President, Development – Australasia, Japan & Pacific, Abhijay Sandilya.
“InterContinental hotels around the world, all have a fascinating, alluring story to tell and InterContinental Sorrento with its rich 145-year history is no exception; it perfectly complements our portfolio.
“We have been looking to grow outside of central Melbourne for some time, and to be expanding into regional Victoria with a property of this calibre and in such a prime tourism location, is incredibly exciting.
“With regional tourism in places such as the Mornington Peninsula benefiting from pent-up traveller demand due to Covid-19, the hotel is in a sweet spot to capitalise on this influx of travellers, and with very few luxury hotel offerings in the area, InterContinental Sorrento will be a welcome addition to the region and a treasured addition to the IHG network,” he said.
A high-profile chef partnership will soon be announced for the hotel’s signature restaurant, with the property also home to five other dining and bar outlets.
In addition, the hotel will feature a sprawling wellness centre incorporating a luxury bathhouse, an outdoor pool, gym and three function and event spaces, including the Conti’s original iconic grand ballroom and will be lovingly restored catering for corporate and social events.
“After working closely with our consultant team, we couldn’t be more pleased to have IHG Hotels & Resorts on board,” said Victor Smorgon Group’s Peter Edwards.
“We are confident that bringing the world’s largest luxury hotel brand to a destination like Sorrento will attract attention from both domestic and international travellers to the region, and we are excited to see the Hotel Continental enter an exciting new era.
“Collectively we have a passion and vision for the hotel to be completely revitalised and returned to its former glory as one of the country’s most loved hotels and we’re excited to be embarking on this project with the team at IHG,” he said.
Hotel Continental first opened in 1875 and was the brainchild of actor, philanthropist and businessman, George Coppin, who was regarded as the ‘Father of the Theatre’ in Victoria.
Coppin’s vision was to create a tourism and cultural heart for the Peninsula where Melburnians and tourists could enjoy a premium seaside resort only a few hours from the city.
The hotel sparked an industry that included the steamboat ferry system, transporting travellers from all over the world into the heart of Sorrento, and to the hotel.
IHG Hotels & Resorts currently has 60 hotels operating under six brands in Australasia, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, voco, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with another 35 in the pipeline.